Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-18
THE LATE 4. 4. COHEN,
A Brief Sketch 81 the Jsse of Self Made
Man and r'io1-eer Of California.
IS f. Call, November 18th

Man :.t:d l'toJ'eer Df California.
IS T. Call. November 18th
4 special dispatch brought intelligence of
the death OF a. a Cohen, attorney for the
Central Pacific Railroad which event oc-
onrred yesterday morning few miles east
of Cheyenne, while homeward- bound IN
special car. he was taken i'll in New York
and when the train arrived at Omaha his
condition was considered very serious.
The remains will arrive here on train time
Friday morning
OF the early life Of Mr.. Cohen, beyond
the fact that he was bern on the Island OF
Jamaica of English parents but little IS
known. lie was, as hoy, noted for his
quick conception and the Ease with which
he grasped everything he undertook. AZ
teT his fourteenth year be never had a DAYS
schooling. exceptsn the rugged paths 81
it-es experience, and he was, therefore, "a
tie strleiest sense OF the word, a self-nlsde
sIian.
1t is said that he studied law in Englsad,
bat ii he did tie fact is not known to those
with whom Ire was most Immediately asso-
cjaied mere. lie came 20 California IN
ISIS, embarked in The commission bust
ness In Sacramento, continuing there dur
ing 1919 90, when lie was made the agent
~ the Adams Express Company in this
CITY, the circumstances attending whose
iaiiu ore. IN 1855, are matters of history.
Speaking of Nj. Cohen Last Right. Samuel
| a. Nelson said: s. IL was 8 man of very
| general reading, ana was particularly well
versed il English history. He was
possessed Of a wonderful memory. He
| was n business for many Years before he
! studied law and commenced to practice
! but he sprung to a front rank in the pro-
! iessiCn Immediately. He comprehended
legal questions, anu erasped the principles
| OF the law with wonderful aptitude He
J was genial host and grand entertainer.
! He was a man Of digniiei presence"
He was the first man in California to
build and operate railroad-that after
ward known as the San Francisco and Al
; ameda Railroad. He also operated the first
| ferry line, and built The Encinal mole,
south of the present narrow-gauge line.
The railroad ran along the mole to the San
Lean iro road and thence TO Haywards, and
cen still be seen from the track of the Cen
trail Pacific road. During the years 1868
and 1863 he was the Superintendent of this
road, and was still connected with il in
1875, when he sold out to the Central Pa
,iic Company, and was retained by them
as their attorney.
| This connection, however, brought him
| into litigation, and ON March 7, 1876, he
brought suit against the company for $lO6.-
900. Judge Delos Lake was his counsel in
| this suit, but almost its entire management
devolved upon Mr.. Cohen himself. He
had powerful array of legal talent against
| him, The names of Hall McAllister. Har-
vey Brown and Judge Sanderson appearing
for the defense. He won the suit, and the
| argument he made in his behalf was mas
terpiece OF eloquence and legal acumen.
From that time on his position was es-
| tabliShed. He was attorney for ]. Z. Tread
well III the famous case of Treadwell VS..
the Bank OF California, the counsel opposed
tn him having been Samuel w. Wilson and
Hall McAllister. Gumpel was the expert
for the plaintiff and Hickox for the defend
ant. In this salt he recovered S55 900 for
his client. He was also retained as counsel
by San joaquin county in its suit against
the Central Pacific Railroad, which was
compromised by the road paying the county
$4,000
In 1879 Mr.. Cohen was again made coun-
sci for the Genital Pacific Railroad, and
since that time he has been in their exclu-
| s.ve employment. Most of the Company's
litigation during the past three or four
years has been in the East, and as conse
| quence the greater portion of Mr. Cohen
time during those years he has resided in
| New York city.
His strength was taxed to the utmost,
! AMI il The spring Of 1888 he was stricken
| with paralysis, FROM which, however, he
apparently recovered.
During the past summer he was recalled
by the railroad company to assist in the in
vestigation which was held in this CITY
under an Act of Congress and the consum-
mate ability he displayed during that in
| vestlgauOn was Z matter of general COM
| ment.
OF late he has suffered intensely from
asthma, and when be left New York last
| week to return TO his home here the rail
road company sent oct private parlor
car. " Ell Carmelo" to bring him. He was
expected 10 arrive here on Friday and bis
| wife went out to meet him al Ogden and
was with him on his return.
Mr.. Cohcn's residence at Fernside. Ala
media, Is i magnificent estate. The house
| is surrounded By $50 acres OF land, living at
| the foot Of Versailles avenue. HIS library
IS one of the most extensive in this State.
Near him lives his brother. Alexander a,
| who Is also the possessor o. q hand .ome
estate.
Mr.. Cohen leaves, besides bis widow,
four sons and three daughters. The eldest
OF, ". Il. Cohen, has been his fathers
| private secretary. a. II. Cohen, another
| son. IS associated with Latson Strauss in
his fathers Office in the Wells. Fargo &
Co.'S Bank Building. W. G. and Edgar A.
are members Of the firm of Costigan.
! Cohen & Co, grain, wool and commission
| merchants OF this city. His three
! daughters are unmarried young ladies and
live with their parents. 4 sister of Mr.
| Cohen $ the wife of Dr. Henry Gibbons
! $40 Polk street. He was reported to have
| been worth several millions.